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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997/03/06 - Board of HealthMASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH March 6, 1997 The Board of Health was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Chairperson Mary Jo Cady with Board Member Olsen in attendance. ATTENDANCE: Mary Jo Cady, Chairperson Cindy Olsen, Board Member Dr. Mark E. Trucksess, Health Officer Brad Banner, Director of Health Services Steve Kutz, Personal Health Director Mark Tompkins, Health Services Program Manager Brent Long, Board of Health Clerk CORRESPONDENCE Correspondence and 1996 meeting minutes were received from the Washington State Board of Health. The Board was asked to take official action proclaiming National Public Health Week April 7th through 13th. Chairperson Cady commented that the Board would address National Public Health Week during their April meeting. She requested that she be placed on the State Board of Health's mailing list for meeting announcements and minute distribution. Brent Long reported that he is now sending minutes of the Mason County Board of Health meetings to the State Board of Health as requested recently by them. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Board Member Olsen/Chairperson Cady moved/seconded to approve the minutes of the February 6, 1997 meeting, with one correction to page 2, line 4 (change quality to qualify). Motion carried. Vote: C:yes; O:yes; B:absent. HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT Dr. Mark E. Trucksess, Health Officer, presented communicable disease reports for the months of January and February, 1997. In January there was one case of E-Coli, one case of Salmonella, three cases of Hepatitis B, and three cases of Hepatitis C. In February there were two cases of Camplyobactor, one case of Hepatitis B, and one case of Pertussis. A former resident of Mason County has died in Seattle of Hepatitis B & C. He noted that most of these cases were diagnosed elsewhere and reported to the Mason County Health Department. On January 18, 1997, a Mason County man died of rabies after being admitted to the University of Washington Hospital. This is the second death from rabies in Washington since 1939. The first case was the death of a four year old girl in Lewis County in 1995. There are many similarities between these two cases. Neither was bitten by an animal, and both were due to bat. rabies. In both cases, rabies was only suspected at the time of death. The difference between the two cases is that a bat was found in the girl's room prior to the onset of her illness. The Mason County man has no history of any bat ever being present in the house or in the vicinity of his house or any of the outbuildings. Bats are the only known current reservoir of rabies in MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH March 6, 1997 - Page 2 of 3 Washington State. The Washington State Health Lab has tested 2,780 bats between 1960 and 1994. Of those bats, 280 tested positive for rabies, which is a 10% rate. However, the rate is being debated because the bats which get tested at the state lab are ones that for some reason have intruded upon human existence. It is unknown whether this is actually an accurate rate for all bats. It is suspected that the actual rate is only about 1%. During the same time period, one cat, one horse, and one llama also tested positive for rabies. Two skunks and two dogs had also tested positive, but theyhad been imported from other areas and acquired the rabies somewhere else. There is no documented human -to -human transmission except via cornea transplants. The only suspected transmission through the air by inhalation was in spelunkers who were investigating caves which were heavily infested with bats. In these Texas cases, they went back to prove that the rabies had been, in fact, acquired through inhalation by placing a caged cat and dog in the cave. Apparently, both animals died of rabies even though the cage meshing was fine enough that the bats could not get to the animals. Other than that, rabies is only transmitted through the saliva. There has been no other mode of transmission identified. Once the clinical symptoms of rabies become apparent, death is inevitable. The following precautions are advised. Do not handle bats. Exposure may result in getting bat saliva in an open wound or on a mucous membrane (eye, mouth, or nose). If a bat is found in a room with a sleeping person, that person is considered to be exposed, and you should notify your physician and the health department. If a bat is physically near you and you cannot rule out that you got bitten, that should also be considered an exposure. The bat should be saved or captured carefully and submitted to the state lab. The bat's brain must be protected so it can be tested. If bats enter your home or outbuildings, you should probably get professional help in having them removed. It is advised that you use screens on all doors, windows, and chimneys to prevent entry of bats into your home. If you are bitten by a bat, the bat should be considered to be rabid and rabies prophylactic should be given unless the bat can be captured and the brain examined and proven to be negative for rabies. When bitten by a cat or dog, that animal should be kept under observation for a period of 10 days. If the animal becomes sick it must be sacrificed and the brain sent to the State Health Lab for examination. If the animal remains well, it can be released. Rabies usually leads to death within 10 days of the first clinical manifestations in an animal. If you are bitten, thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water immediately. Make sure your tetanus immunization is current. If a cat or dog runs off or disappears, the decision to give rabies prophylactic is' individualized at that point based on the information you have about the animal. Any wild animal bite that occurs without provocation, and the animal cannot be captured, should also be considered an exposure, and rabies prophylactic would be given. Rabies shots are, now, quite benign and given inter -muscularly. There are two kinds of vaccinations. The first is rabies immune globulin which is an antibody. It gives you passive immunity. One shot is given as soon as possible after the exposure. The second series is human diploid vaccine, and it is an inter -muscular shot which is given in a series of five over a 28 day period. Chairperson Cady asked that this information be put into the employee newsletter. MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH March 6, 1997 - Page 3 of 3 OTHER BUSINESS Chairperson Cady called for other business. Mr. Kutz replied that he had items to discuss during a briefing session. MEETING ADJOURNED Board Member Olsen/Chairperson Cady moved/seconded that the Board of Health meeting be adjourned at 10:20 a.m., to enter into a briefing with Health Department staff. Motion carried. Vote: C:yes; O:yes; B:absent. MASON COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH (absent) John Bolender, Board Member ft-L- indy 1 Isen, Board Member Respectfully submitted, Lorraine Coots